The Rio Grande is running clear which means smaller flies have been working especially well. It have been very exciting to see the number of large fish caught recently with many on the lower part of the river being over fifteen pounds. These big fish will begin to spread throughout the system over the coming weeks. Both Estancia Maria Behety and Villa Maria caught huge fish this week with one at twenty eight pounds and the other at twenty seven and a half.
Contact Olly Thompson or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
Estancia Maria Behety Week 4
At this stage, it is still too early to determine whether we are experiencing a consistently favourable trend or if this will turn out to be an exceptional season for big fish. However, the numbers so far are certainly promising as an impressive one out of every three fish caught weighs over 15 pounds. The fish of the week by some distance was a huge 27.5lb cock fish caught by Bruce.
We are catching a lot of fresh fish that have just made their way into the river, a sign that the migration remains strong. Despite fluctuating weather conditions and periods of heavy rainfall, the river has maintained optimal conditions for fishing, offering anglers an excellent opportunity to land some remarkable catches.
Flies and tactics
Due to the clear water, smaller flies have been most effective. EMB (weighted and unweighted), green machine, girdle bug, small salmon double, sunray shadow, leeches in the evening when the light drops.
Scandi lines with a range of poly tips on the days with less wind and skagit lines with heavier tips when it was more windy or when we had to get deeper. Throughout the week we fished a range of tips from intermediate up to T20 depending on the pool and how active the fish were at the time.
Water Conditions
Water colour and visibility: Low water but usual height for this time of the season and running clear.
Water temperature: 7º C to 14ºC
Weather Conditions
Air temperatures: 6º to 17ºC
Wind speed ranges from 17 to 85 km/h
Rain during the week: 9 mm
Catch stats
Total catch 108
Fish over 15lb 36
Largest fish 27.5lb
Average weight: 11.5lb
Kau Tapen January 18 – 25
We have just concluded our third week of fishing on both the Rio Grande and Menendez rivers, hosting a group of international anglers from Europe and the U.S. It has been another exciting week filled with great company, excellent catches, and unforgettable moments on the water.
Water levels remained low and clear, much like the previous week, creating perfect conditions for precise and technical fishing. Anglers employed floating and intermediate lines, long leaders, and small flies to make the most of these favorable conditions. While the weather proved a bit unpredictable—shifting winds and fluctuating temperatures occasionally slowed the action—once conditions stabilized, the fishing truly came alive.
The river remained full of movement, with fresh fish steadily pushing upstream. This kept us constantly engaged, searching every pocket for resting fish before they resumed their journey. Meanwhile, the main holding pools were teeming with activity, delivering consistent action and rewarding anglers with impressive catches.
On the Rio Grande, light double-hand and switch rods proved to be the ideal tools, while the Menendez River called for single-hand and switch rods. Both rivers provided incredible opportunities, with the Menendez once again standing out for its exceptional fishing. The week’s catches ranged from 6 lbs to a stunning 18 lbs, with a mix of bright, fresh fish and a few darker ones in the mix.
All in all, it was another fantastic week on the water, with every angler enjoying successful sessions and making lasting memories. We’re already looking forward to what the coming weeks will bring!
2025 Availability
March 29 – 7 April – 1 rod (discounted rate)
Prices do not include international or domestic flights, hotels in Buenos Aires or fishing licences which cost US$595
Villa Maria January 17 – 24
What an incredible week we’ve had at Villa María Lodge! The weather has kept us on our toes, bringing a mix of rain and cooler temperatures, but thankfully, there were no strong winds to slow us down. These conditions turned out to be ideal for fishing, and the results did not disappoint exceptional catches and an impressive average weight made for a truly memorable week.
With the river running low and crystal clear, we fine-tuned our approach to match the conditions. Floating lines and small nymphs proved to be the most effective choice throughout much of the week, while during low-light hours, medium-sized streamers became irresistible to the fish. This strategic adjustment paid off in spectacular fashion.
While the overall size of the fish this week was remarkable, two catches stood out above the rest. Mark landed a stunning 24-pound female, a true trophy in its own right. But the highlight of the week came when Lars hooked into a behemoth—a massive 28-pound trout!
2025 Availability
February 21 – 28 – 1 rod (discounted rate)
March 7 – 14 – 3 rods (discounted rate)
Prices do not include international or domestic flights, hotels in Buenos Aires or fishing licences which cost US$595
If you would like more information then please do not hesitate to contact Olly Thompson or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.